WDS unattend install files

[Brian Norman]

I haven't had much time, but here's what I've learned since last week.  At this time I will assume (dangerous I know) that you have WDS, a boot image and capture image ready.  You also have your DHCP configured so you can PXE boot from your server.

 

When imaging XP computers you use the "server" unattended installation file AND your sysprep inf file.  Alternatively when you are imaging Windows 7 computers you can use the "server" unattended installation file AND the "image" unattend file.  I will explain further.

 

Step one For windows XP computers you need to set a "server" unattended installation file.  Open the Windows Deployment Service console, open "servers" and then right click on your server and select "properties".  Select the "Client" tab and check the "enable unattended installation", then browse to you unattended installation xml file.  My version of the "server" unattend file does four things, wipe the drive, create a new partition, log into WDS and select the partition to install to.  You can also set the image source, which I will do if I'm planning to image an entire lab so I don't have to select that image manually.

 

Step two for windows XP computers is to create your sysprep inf file.  This file allows you to set the XP options such as product key, username, time zone, join the domain and if you wish computer name.  I leave the computer name blank so I can enter it during the imaging process.  This file must be in your sysprep folder on the source computer when you sysprep it.  The sysprep folder must be in the root of your c: drive.

 

Step one for Windows 7 is the same as XP.  I am using the same file for both operating systems and it appears to function fine.

 

Step two for Windows 7 is similiar to step one, except you select the unattend file for each image.  Open your "Installed Images" folder, right click on an image and then select "properties".  On the bottom of the general tab is an option to "allow image to install in unattended mode".  Select that option and browse to your unattend xml file.  Notice how I glossed over creating that xml file...  We started this using WAIK in class, but I haven't had time to work on it more.  My current version adds the computer to my domain, but then I get an error when I try and log in.  It needs work.

 

I am attaching my files.  Please feel free to make updates and repost them as needed.

 

I need to pack...  Brian

 

[Keith Nelson]

Thanks so much Brian!!!

Keith

[Randy Dahl]

You’re amazing Brian! You did all this before heading to LA, could you stop by LA Ink and get an autograph for me:)

I'm starting the setup of my WDS server right now.